Hm.. finally. I had a lot of trouble getting this chap posted, which included my flash drive getting busted. Anyway, I don't want to prolong the agony anymore, so I'll just get on with the next chap.
This is actually one of my favorite chaps, mainly because of the Athrun-Shinn conversation somewhere in the middle. Supposedly a light and funny (I really hope it is) chap. Hey is anyone here a younger sibling? Know how it feels (heh, I don't know myself :) )? Learn what's so depressing about being the younger one (Meyrin's younger than Luna and Cagalli, Shinn's younger than Athrun, and Athrun's younger than Rau). Enjoy:)
Disclaimer: The author of this fic does not own gundam seed/destiny, or its characters, because if I claimed I did, would delete my story—wouldn't it?—and the copyright people will sue me. Any similarities from other fics are purely coincidental, and so are any allusions to real events, places and people.
oooooo
Chapter 12: The Downside to Being the Younger One
Excess was one of the soldier's greatest foes. The stress they had to endure in battle was already bad enough. No matter how well trained they were, inwardly, they had to be complaining.
"This heat is unbearable."
"It's summer, of course it's hot."
"I know, you loudmouth. You don't have to remind me."
"Watch your tone. The men might be listening. We don't want them to think lowly of you, do we?"
"I'll have your neck someday, Elsman."
"The pleasure is all mine, Yzak, anytime."
Dearka's smirk often irritated Yzak. Add the heat and we would find a very irate lieutenant.
"Shouldn't you be with your men right now?"
"It's alright. Besides, I have a colonel taking over. You should take a break once in a while. Use your subordinates; that's what they're here for."
"No thanks, I believe I am responsible enough to know my post must be filled at all times. You're in ranks, remember?"
"I asked permission."
"Unbelievable how the Commander can be so loose on you."
"Athrun doesn't mind," Dearka kicked on his horse, taking off to run up front to his division. "Anyway, he wanted me to inform you that we must ride up front. I think he wants to deliver a few instructions."
"In ranks? That's quite unlikely."
Nonetheless, Yzak took off to the leading division where the Commander had asked them to assemble. Dearka took a stop somewhere on the way, saying that he must pick up someone Athrun had requested for.
o+
"I'm happy you came with us, Cagalli," Luna started as she rode behind the first infantry division. The medical team often took their position somewhere sandwiched among the infantries, so they could easily get to anyone that might get hurt in case of an ambush.
Meyrin approved, happy that another girl was joining the team. Cagalli was like another sister to her. "Yes, but Cagalli, wouldn't the people back home be worried? How about Lacus?"
"True, I haven't seen her since the festival. She does know you're coming with us, right?" Luna said, yanking her horse's reins to keep it steady.
"I've talked to her last night before we left," Cagalli answered, slightly disturbed that she was referring to Kira as a girl. "She was a bit sad about it, but I'm sure she understands."
"That's good," Meyrin smiled, a slight blush tinting her cheeks, one that did not go unnoticed by her sister.
The Zaft army had already set out for Lunius, leaving Heliopolis under Arthur Trine's governance and the new Heliopolian army's protection. Cagalli looked back at the golden city, recalling the long line of events that had changed her life greatly.
This is it. This is where my mission starts. Heaving a deep breath of warm desert air, Cagalli reviewed the mission she had decided to embark on. Retrieve useful information about Zaft's strategies, its plans, its upcoming onslaughts, everything you know Orb will find useful. Relay this information to whomever Kira will send as messenger, and return to base camp to rejoin the Crusade. If she kept a low profile and listened closely to the soldiers' conversations, she was bound to get the job done.
But the soldiers aren't briefed until right before the actual attack. All the useful information seems to be tucked away among the higher ranks. Cagalli wasn't to get a generous dispersal of information at her feet; she'd have to work for them. Somehow, she had to gain the trust of Zaft's superiors, those who came in close contact with classified details.
That meant she had to befriend the lieutenants. Weighing her options, she sighed.
Lt. Elsman seemed nice. Besides, I already had a good start, reminding herself of Dearka's regards for her treatment of the governor days ago. I'd have no trouble befriending him.
Lt. Joule isn't much of a socialite, but I'm sure I can make him feel easy around me. By the way Lt. Elsman taunted the pants off him, he must have a soft side, Cagalli figured as she remembered how Dearka made Yzak completely lose control of his temper.
Lt. Westenfluss? He's rather quiet. The composed one, I guess. It'll be quite easy to engage conversations with him. She knew little of Heine's personality. He talked the least among the three young lieutenants. But he seemed like a nice person anyway.
The lieutenants heading the first three divisions of the army would not prove too hard to befriend. Cagalli sifted through the divisions, peering among the ranks through the torrid heat. Heine's cavalier division—the only cavalier of the four—rode up front, leading the rest of the army. Dearka's first and Yzak's second infantry divisions followed close by.
Suddenly, a gust of desert sand blew from beside the ranks of men, sputtering on the medical team's faces. A stallion from the third infantry division galloped at breakneck speed, running to the leading platoon. Cagalli recognized it to be Lt. Le Creuset.
Few knew much about this man. The mask he wore concealed not only his face but also his full identity—not even his men knew what he really looked like. He wasn't aloof at all; in fact, when he did talked to his men, he always wore a mysterious smile. Nobody knew what played in that cunning mind of his, but being the oldest of the lieutenants who had joined the Crusade, he must be the most knowledgeable of the four.
I don't think there's anyone who knows more about strategy than him, Cagalli contemplated. But there was little chance she'd find the opportunity to speak with the lieutenant, since he never stayed out during the bonfires set up by the cavaliers at night. He would rather stay in his tent, perhaps to think, or to do whatever he did behind closed flaps.
"Would you like to ride up front, Cagalli?" Luna asked, still wiping the dust off her face.
She nodded, as she motioned to heighten her mare's pace. Luna was already ahead, talking to Shinn. Cagalli was about to kick it when she saw Meyrin struggling with her colt. Pulling on the loose reins flying around the colt's neck, Cagalli calmed it as the younger doctor-in-training held on her for support.
"Thanks," she murmured. Cagalli would have sped off, but stopped on her tracks instead when she noticed something.
Is it just me, or is she blushing?
Soon, the two resumed their strut, Meyrin following close behind.
"Lady Cagalli…"
"Drop the 'Lady', just call me Cagalli."
Meyrin seemed to blush even harder. Now Cagalli was really concerned.
"Are you feeling well?"
"Uhm… yes… well…"
"Meyrin, I can't help but notice, but…"
"Yes?"
Her face was awfully flushed right now.
Do you happen to have a… well…"
Meyrin's head was bowed low.
"How do I put this in words?" Cagalli stammered, flushing red herself. "Don't think of this as anything, but…"
The words seemed to connect with Meyrin. "Yes?"
I don't want to be blunt, but… "Meyrin, we've known each other for quite well now, and I can't help noticing. Why is it that you blush so often when you're around me?"
The question took Meyrin by surprise. She rubbed her cheeks to bring them back to normal, but the friction and the heat could only make them redder.
"Oh, why do I have to be like this all the time?" Meyrin mumbled frustrated. "Why do you have to say the exact same thing?"
This startled Cagalli. "Uhm, I'm sorry Meyrin, I really was too blunt, wasn't I?"
"Oh no, it's just that," before she could say another word, a deep blush crept again across her face. Cagalli seemed to understand. It was the same tint of red that tinted Lacus's cheeks whenever they spoke of Kira. "It's just that… you remind me of someone."
A pair of hazel eyes glowed with mischief, but then realized the unintentional insult. "Wait, I remind you of a guy?" I will admit that I am a bit boyish at times, but never was I mistaken for a man!
"It's not what you think!" Meyrin corrected, afraid her friend was offended. "It's like, there's a connection… between the both of you. I can't explain it. Whenever you're with us, I always end up thinking of him."
"Really?" Cagalli giggled. "What's he like? Are we similar in anyway?"
"Actually, you're completely different. He doesn't talk too much and he's really serious all he time. Whenever I see him, he's always on business, so I never get to talk to him too much."
"Well, it can't be all that bad. You just have to find the right time…"
"He doesn't even know I exist," Meyrin let out a dry laugh.
"Introduce yourself then!" Cagalli urged her. "Who's the lucky guy anyway?"
She's so nice to me, Meyrin thought. "Well, actually it's the…"
"Cagalli! Meyrin!"
Luna caused their conversation to end abruptly, right before Meyrin could confess her undying love for a special man in her life.
"Hurry up! We don't have all day."
"In fact, Luna, we do," Cagalli spat, irritated. "I'm sorry, Meyrin, I didn't get his name. What was it again?"
"It's the…" she was cut again by another voice.
"Ensign, report to the Commander immediately."
Dearka was riding up front with Yzak, apparently in a hurry. Shinn scratched his head, but realized that his iron helmet covered it.
"What does he want from me now?"
"Maybe another delivery?" Luna guessed sarcastically.
"What do I look like, his personal mailman?"
"The Commander has many personal assistants, maybe you bear some resemblance with one of them."
"Ha, very funny, Doctor," Shinn opted to take off, leaving the three girls.
"Delivery?" Cagalli asked Luna.
"Yes. The Commander ordered him to deliver the message to the Heliopolian king."
"Message of what?"
"Warning them that Zaft would attack, and asking of their surrender."
"Why would he warn them beforehand? That'd give them time to prepare."
"Hm… not really. Besides, it's not his style to attack their opponents behind their backs."
I already did, they refused. Cagalli remembered what the Commander said the first time they met. It seems that Zaft warns all their opponents before they attack. Why?
"I don't get it. You'd have a better chance of winning if you caught your opponents off guard."
"That's what makes Zaft different from all the rest," Luna smiled, her countenance full of pride. "We're not cowards. We face our enemy and tell them early on to give it everything they've got."
Zaft is a superpower and they know it. Stealth is not their cup of tea. By now, most of the South must have been informed, alerting Lunius of the forthcoming onslaught. And yet, this army is so confident it'll win. Why? Is it because of their size? But some of the armies they will be facing can match Zaft's 20, 000 men in number—surpass, even. Not to mention those armies aren't tired; they'll be ready to fight Zaft's now war-beaten soldiers. This side has more casualties than most of their future opponents. What makes them so sure that everything will go their way?
Luna broke the train of thought that questioned Zaft's warring prowess. The answer to them was made clear at the very beginning of this Crusade—their assurance that they will never be defeated in battle.
"With the Commander on our side, there's no way we can lose."
o+
Leading the Zaft army's imperial march, the lieutenants along with Shinn and the Commander rode in perfect alignment, with Shinn trailing to the left of his superior Dearka and the lieutenants riding one horse's stride behind Athrun.
"Permission to speak, Commander."
Had he not worn his headgear, the lieutenants would have seen Athrun's weary expression. Here we go again…
"Granted. What is it?"
"Sir, I was just wondering," Shinn started in a somewhat innocent tone. "Why is it that I am always your pick for such assignments?"
Dearka stifled a giggle. It was like watching a younger brother argue with his older sibling.
How cute, he thought, grinning underneath his helmet.
"Because you did well the last time," Athrun said sternly. "Take that as a compliment."
"For that, Sir, thank you," though it sounded more like sarcasm than gratitude. "But I was wondering if there's someone else formidable for the job."
Athrun kept his eyes straight ahead, but Shinn knew he was getting to him.
"I mean, with all due respect," Shinn's tone emphasizing the last word. "The task is a bit, shall we say, too… easy. Perhaps we could assign a private to deliver the message instead?"
The Commander looked unfazed, obviously trying to ignore his haughty subordinate.
"What I am saying, Sir, is that maybe it'd be wiser if I stayed behind and sent one of my men to Lunius instead. That way, just in case an ambush comes, my men are prepared."
The last words were replaced by a lack of them, the gallops standing in their place. Shinn broke this hush.
"What do you think, Sir?"
For a second, Shinn thought he'd convince the Commander. For the first time, the prince of Zaft would yield to him.
This time, I win.
"Lunius…"
What the…"Will not be so easy to infiltrate, Ensign."
I don't believe this.
Athrun cocked his head sideways, so that his eyes would peer through his helmet's cavity, staring at Shinn. "You won't be able to knock at their front door like you did in Heliopolis."
Shinn was furious. This was going to end the way all their other arguments did, and behind that helmet, Shinn knew his superior was smiling.
"This time, you'll actually have to enter discreetly –as much as possible, not catching the attention of anyone, not even the civilians. They're quite wary of intruders, especially Miyercurians. They can't tell the difference among races, so if they capture you, consider yourself dead."
His words were void of concern, no emotion evident in his powerful demeanor.
Nevertheless, Shinn warded off the response. "It can't be that hard."
This kid is stubborn, Dearka commented mentally.
Luckily, Athrun hasn't blown his top off, Yzak thought. Yet.
Hopefully, he won't be losing his temper anytime soon, Heine sighed.
I wonder how long he can put up with him, Le Creuset snickered, the Cheshire grin on his face glinting with treachery.
"Lunius' fortress is much more well guarded than the one at Heliopolis. At least one platoon is guarding the front gates," Athrun explained, his austerity not faltering. "The palace is a closed domicile—the windows shielded by iron bars reinforced with concrete slabs at night. If you are to get the message through, I suggest you do so by day."
"By day?" Shinn blurted. "But all the guards must be on duty by day!"
He could see Athrun raise an eyebrow. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"Yes, Sir, in fact I do," Shinn stammered. "You're sending me to a suicide mission!"
"Watch your tone, Ensign, you're in ranks," Dearka interjected, noticing some of the cavaliers listening. Shinn will definitely be the topic of discussion later.
"Shu…" he would have told Dearka to shut up, but he remembered he was in ranks and in public. You must be very happy now, Commander.
"Yes, I am sending you to one," Athrun continued. "Is that troubling you?"
Shinn was quiet for a while, but soon noticed that he had to say something. He had been humiliated too much to be completely silenced. "Yes."
Athrun cocked his head back, facing the horizon. His shoulders were relaxed; for this Shinn thought his superior was a strange man. Why is he always calm? What will it take for me to anger him?
"For one thing…"
If you want me dead so badly, just say it.
"You must know…"
Just shut up and dismiss me.
"That it is safer to break into Lunius by day than by night."
"What?" Shinn spat.
The Commander paused, letting the facts register. "All of their guards are awake by night. Most of them are asleep in the day. Miyercuria attacks by stealth, during the night. Does that make sense to you now?"
Shinn stopped, but continued moving when he felt the cavaliers closing in on him.
"But I'm not saying you should relax. At least ten Miyercurians are tortured weekly behind Lunian walls…"
The ensign gulped, and this did not go unnoticed.
"They have this interesting contraption called a spamlock. The suspect is attached to two holes for hands, one for the feet. That one end is rotated, twisting the body clasped to it, very slowly…"
Shinn tried not to show his uneasiness.
"They also have one of those Hadeswallows, where the body is submerged in boiling water and bound to four ropes—one on each limb—so that the mechanism can pull it apart, gradually…"
He really wants me dead.
"And a number of other torture devices. They aren't too friendly with tourists, and they suspect all intruders to be spies--Miyercurians to be exact.
The ensign was stunned to hear his new assignment. His arrogance waved off, he asked, "Just one more question, Commander."
"I'm listening."
"Do you expect me to return from this?"
For one of the few times in his life, Shinn was sincerely asking the Commander. No sarcasm, no defiance.
"Yes. That's why I'm sending you."
Hearing the stress on the last word, Shinn took off with a determined look on his face.
"Is he aware," Le Creuset approached his superior. "That setting off like that without your dismissal could get him reprimanded?"
"I believe so," Athrun answered. "But let him." That should keep things quiet for awhile.
"Permission for this platoon to speak, Commander," Dearka requested.
"Granted."
"Commander, the idea of sending Ensign Asuka to Lunius as a messenger was certainly just," Heine started. "But wasn't sending him alone…"
"Suicidal?" Athrun anticipated. "Yes, to a certain extent."
"To a certain extent?" Yzak remarked. "He'd die the moment he gets caught!"
"He's not as invincible as he claims to be," Dearka reinforced Yzak's point. "I think that is something you already know."
"Of course, he isn't," Athrun responded. "And I don't think Lunian torture will kill him."
"But a spamlock will definitely…" his own thoughts cut Yzak. "Wait, since when did Lunius have its own spamlocks and hadeswallows?"
Le Creuset, who was now riding alongside the Commander, whispered teasingly, "That was very cruel of you, Commander."
Athrun's lips formed a smirk. If Shinn's defiance was reserved only for Athrun, Athrun's mischief was reserved only for Shinn.
"You see colleagues," Le Creuset started to explain. "Lunius does not have such devices. Those, and a number of other torture devices are found only in Vierna."
o+
They rode on quietly as Athrun gave them further instructions. Zaft was to set base camp one mile from Lunius, the bigger of the two cities. With Lunius defeated, Miyercuria was surely to follow. They would give Lunius no time to assemble its army, knowing that Miyercuria has neither the tools nor the manpower to defeat them. As soon as Shinn got back, the attack would commence.
"The warning, this time, would prove little use. We're sending them the message just in case they aren't as unyielding as we thought they'd be. Most likely, we will launch the attack against Lunius in two days."
"Right after we set foot on their sands?" Yzak inquired.
"Yes. By then, Ensign Asuka should have been back with their response. The army's not greater than 7, 000; we won't need much. Reserve a third of your divisions for Miyercuria."
"Is that enough Commander? How are we so sure about their army's population?"
"Lunius and Miyercuria have been at war since the two cities were conceived," Athrun justified. "Full force, quite recently. Zaft's king sent envoys to watch the developments."
"And the estimates sum up to no greater than 7, 000 for Lunius?" Le Creuset intervened.
"Yes, and not more than 5, 000 for Miyercuria. A great deal of their armies have been wiped out throughout their battles."
"Would they call for aid?"
"No," Athrun told Le Creuset bluntly. "Besides, if anyone of them asked for aid, it'd never make it in two days."
"Would they consider an alliance?"
"No, I think we've dealt with this before." (Note: See chap 6 if you can't remember why)
"Let's say they decided to change their minds?" Le Creuset's voice was low, cunning and piercing to Athrun's ears. "We are leaving one third of the army behind. They might choose to attack base camp while we decimate their fortresses."
"And let their city be decimated by our troops?" Athrun challenged him.
"No doubt their kings are proud," the old lieutenant's voice was cool as ever. "But unlike in Heliopolis, common sense is not one of their scant faculties. Victory will always be priority. Details of the Heliopolian siege would have reached them by now. They know we never included civilians in the casualty list."
Of all his lieutenants, Le Creuset was the one he had doubts with. He was efficient and experienced, but his mysterious ways often incited suspicion. Athrun knew little of the lieutenant's past, his affairs, his connections with that bastard…
But what mattered was that he was useful. His age and his military resume gave him the edge over his colleagues, even his own Commander.
Someone almost as smart as Father. I'm glad he's on our side.
"My say," Le Creuset continued. "Is that a fraction of their forces will attack base camp while we concentrate on the rest of them. If they combine their forces, they might just be able to pull it off."
This made Athrun set aside a few seconds to think. His contemplative mood amused Le Creuset, whose wily smile seemed to reflect a hundred motives, all masking the true one…
Which was why he tried to put on a more austere countenance when he faced the Commander, who seemed to be uncomfortable with his smiling ways.
"Of course, Commander, this is just a possibility. The final say will always be yours."
"No, you're right. It was quite naïve for me to think that such a strategy would work. Forget what I said. I'll need time to think about this. Go back to your posts for now and wait for further instructions. You're dismissed."
The four lieutenants, resuming their gallop back to the ranks, nodded in abeyance. As soon as his back was turned, Le Creuset drew a sinister smile—something he did quite often.
You couldn't have been more precise, Commander, he thought. You are naïve.
oooooo
Hehe, I love making Shinn look stupid. Sometimes, the bratty kids just need a good spanking, so Shinn fans, do not sue me. Hope this would invite more reviews than the last one did (I am never doing an asucaga-free chap ever again!—writes this line on a blackboard for 500 times). Thanks, as always, to everyone who read and/or reviewed. See ya people.